Rhizospheric Bacillus subtilis Exhibits Biocontrol Effect against Rhizoctonia solani in Pepper (Capsicum annuum)‎

Abstract EN

This study aimed at evaluating the ability of SL-44 to control Rhizoctonia solani and promote pepper (Capsicum annuum) growth.

Strain SL-44 was isolated from plant rhizosphere and the pot experiment results indicated that the dry and fresh weights of pepper in SL-44 and Rhizoctonia solani (S-R) treatment were 45.5% and 54.2% higher than those in Rhizoctonia solani (R) treatment and 18.2% and 31.8% higher than those in CK (control, noninoculation) treatment.

The plant height in S-R treatment increased by 14.2% and 9.0% compared with those in the R and CK treatments, respectively.

In vitro antagonism assay showed that SL-44 exhibited strong antifungal activity against the mycelial growth of Rhizoctonia solani, with an inhibition rate of 42.3%.

The amount of phosphorus dissolved by SL-44 reached 60.58 mg·L−1 in broth and 7.5 μg·mL−1 IAA were secreted by SL-44.

Strain SL-44 inhibited the growth of R.

solani and improved biomass of pepper plants.

Mass exchange and information transmission between the pepper plants and SL-44 mutually promoted their development.

Bacillus subtilis SL-44 has a great potential as biocontrol agent against Rhizoctonia solani on pepper plants.